WORKERS at a foreign-owned logging company operating in the far Western Province have raised serious concerns over poor treatment, unfair practices, and delayed payment arrangements of their wages.
According to workers interviewed by the Solomon Star early this week, employees are often left waiting for long periods before receiving their fortnightly wages.
In the meantime, many are forced to rely on credit from the company’s own store to sustain themselves and their families.
“When the pay finally comes, most of it goes straight back to settle the pile of bills and credits at the company store,” one worker revealed.
“It feels like we are working but never really earning anything,” the worker added.
This practice has left many workers trapped in a cycle of debt, where their hard work benefits the company while leaving them with little or no money in hand.
Sources said, the arrangement is discouraging, prompting some employees to quit and look for other opportunities elsewhere.
Its understood that a number of workers have already left the company due to these ongoing issues.
Others remain but expressed their morale is low, as the system in place keeps them dependent on the company instead of being financially independent.
The logging company currently employs workers from across the country, including Makira, Malaita, Isabel, and Western Province.
Many of them travel long distances to take up employment, only to face hardship once they arrive at the camp.
Local leaders and community observers have described the treatment as exploitative, calling for responsible authorities to look into the matter and ensure that logging companies operating in Solomon Islands uphold fair labour practices.
Workers said they hope their plight will not be ignored, as their only request is to be treated fairly and paid properly for their work.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sustainable Resource Management (SFRM) Chief Advisor Dr Nishikawa revealed to this paper recently that foreign receipts from logging accounts is around 20 percent of government revenue and around 66 percent of the total value of export income.
“The logging industry provides around 10,000 jobs, which represent 20 percent of the total employment in Solomon Islands.
“As for general logging revenues, 60 percent may be distributed to logging companies, 25 percent goes to taxes, whilst the remaining 15 percent is given to the community”,” he said.
Meanwhile, the decline of logging in the country as Govt officials says that it will affect the government economy.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
